We’re moving toward a ‘better’ society: Archbishop of Lahore

Archbishop of Lahore Sebastian Francis Shaw has stated that slowly but surely “we are moving towards a better society.” He said that Pakistani Christians and Muslims are cooperating with each other to make the troubled Islamic republic a “more harmonious society.”

Archbishop of Lahore while talking to Bill Tucker host of “America Talks Live,” show aired on Newsmax Tv, he said that Pakistan is inching towards a better society. He appreciated Pope Francis for appointing him as Archbishop of Lahore.

“We always tell that God has given us this planet to live. And if we live in a peaceful way, and work for the rights of one another and also for the progress of the country, then I think, ultimately, all people living in Pakistan will live in peace and harmony — and use the talents of one another for the betterment of society,” he said as he emphasized: “We are moving towards for a better society.”

While remaking about Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam he said: “The founder of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, believed that Pakistan would be, or is, a country for all people.” He further explained: “He said in his address to the assembly that the Christians will go to their churches and Muslims will go to their mosques . The state will have no business with the personal faith of people, so all will work for the progress and the fortification of Pakistan.”

Archbishop Shaw went on to explain that despite clear instruction from the founder of Pakistan, country started drifting towards religious intolerance. “During the time of General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, the country started moving toward more Islamic-like laws that were introduced.” He went to tell Bill Tucker that: “Witnessing law, blasphemy law, and some laws like that, and then society was more divided in compartments based on religion.”

Continuing the conversation he said: “Actually people live in Pakistan, have lived for centuries together, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. So, normal day-to-day life we have a good relation with everybody. We understand that we should respect the leader and especially the prophets of all religion like Christianity and Muslims. We respect one another. But some people are victims of blasphemy law.

Archbishop Shaw who himself has been playing an active part in interfaith dialogue said: “Through interfaith dialogue we are trying to come together to help one another to understand and give more respect to the beliefs and dogma of people of other faith.”

Through this interfaith dialogue, he said, “slowly, slowly society is once again moving toward making more efforts for a more harmonious society. It is a very slow process, but I hope that through inter-religious faith people will understand and will respect.”